Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on whether the back to school clothing and footwear allowance is sufficient to cover the cost of sending children to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34822/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the changes she will make to the qualifying criteria for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. [34863/08]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of additional families that will qualify for the back to school clothing and footwear scheme as a result of the increase in the income threshold compared to 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35624/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 166 and 171 together.

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn. The allowance is not intended to cover the cost of sending children to school, rather, as the name suggests, it is intended to assist with clothing and footwear expenses.

A person may qualify for payment of an allowance if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment (including family income supplement), or Health Service Executive payment, are participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income at or below certain set levels. The purpose of the household income limit is to ensure that the allowance is directed at those with the greatest need.

In Budget 2009, I have increased the income thresholds for entitlement to back to school clothing and footwear allowance by €50. This will bring the income limits for the allowance for parents with one child to €559.80 (for couples) and €406.30 for lone parents. This will enable an estimated 18,000 more families to benefit from the scheme.

In addition, I also propose to increase the amount of back to school clothing and footwear allowance by €215 to €520 per annum payable for eligible 18 year olds, as a compensatory measure where child benefit is no longer payable.

The rates of back to school clothing and footwear allowance have been increased significantly in recent years. Since 2005, the allowance has increased from €80 to €200 in respect of qualified children aged from 2 to 11 years and from €150 to €305 for those aged 12 to 22. These are increases of 150% and 103% respectively.

The number of children benefiting from the allowance increased from 161,000 in 2006 to over 180,000 in 2007. Current indications are that about 98,000 families with over 190,000 children benefited from the scheme in 2008 at a cost of over €48m. The increased numbers can be mainly attributed to improvements introduced in recent years and to the significant level of publicity given to this scheme in the media and through the other information services operated by the Department.

The improvements in BSCFA rates in recent years are very significant when viewed in the context of clothing and footwear price trends. According to the Consumer Price Index for September 2008, the overall cost of clothing and footwear has fallen by 5% over the past twelve months. Since December 2001, clothing and footwear costs have decreased by 22%.

I consider the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme to be an important support for parents at a time of particular financial strain. The improvements to the scheme in recent years and the improvements announced by me in Budget 2009, provide a major boost to meeting the financial costs associated with return to school for those who most need assistance.